Congo, Republic of the

I

Introduction

Congo, Republic of the, republic, west-central Africa, bordered on the north by Cameroon and the Central African Republic, on the east and south by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaïre), on the south-west by Angola (Cabinda enclave) and the Atlantic Ocean, and on the west by Gabon. Known as the People’s Republic of the Congo between 1970 and 1991, the country has an area of 342,000 sq km (132,000 sq mi). Brazzaville is the capital and largest city; the Republic of the Congo is popularly known as Congo-Brazzaville, to distinguish it from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa).

II

Land and Resources

Along the country’s Atlantic coast is a narrow, low, grassy plain that gives way abruptly inland to the heavily forested ridges of the Mayombe Mountains, which have an average elevation of about 550 m (1,800 ft) and are deeply dissected by rivers like the Kouilou. Inland from the coast to the east of the mountains is the fertile valley of the Niari River, the main agricultural area. To the north lies the central highlands region, the Batéké Plateau.

A

Rivers and Lakes

The plateau area is cut by numerous tributaries of the Congo and Ubangi rivers. The River Congo provides the southern and much of the eastern border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Congo Basin occupies most of the north-eastern part of the country, giving way towards the north to drier plateaux.

B

Climate

The climate is tropical, with generally high heat and humidity, although the cold Angolan Current has a modifying effect on the coastal climate. The average temperature is 23.9° C (75° F). Most areas have two wet and two dry seasons. The average annual rainfall ranges from about 1,520 to 2,030 mm (60 to 80 in). Rainfall is lower on the coast, and highest in the mountains.